THE DEVELOPMENT

First the name.
A name that should not only be able to represent our real intentions but could even “shock” the aficionados of this type of aircrafts. The word “Cub”, first of all, aims to express the typical DNA of our production, which is a fundamental aspect to us and to our Clients. It was time to emphasize this proven winning formula, innovating it with originality and new technical features. The word “Shock”, on the other hand, was added with strong conviction, and it aims to underline some important facts relating to the entire project – to pleasantly “shock”, with specific aerodinamic features and through the “shock absorbers” installed on our plane for the first time, specifically designed to be terribly efficient during landing.

THE NEW WING

The Wing is totally new and, obviously, is one of the most important feature of this new airplane. It is equipped with a new customized Hyper Stol profile. The new spars, together with many other structural improvements, have allowed us to test the wing above the 600 Kg ( 1.322 lbs) MTOW x 6g required by the rules, with no residual permanent deformations. The wing tip is shaped to increase the lift in its area and is available also in carbonfiber. The innovative new “double slotted” flaps, have a surface increased by 70% compared to our previous models. The aileron surface has been increased by 40% to allow the Pilot to keep full control authority at extremely low speed. The fuel tanks capacity has been increased to 110 liter (on request). On the leading edge, four pivoting “slats” have been installed , allowing to fly the plane to unbelievably low speeds if necessary or even to increase the AoA over the imagination. Being fixed, just pivoting according to the airflow (they are not spring actuated) there is not risk of having an half wing with slats extended and an half wing with slats retracted at the approach, in turbulence, during tight turns or sideslip and close to the ground.

NEW FLYING CHARACTERISTICS

With the slats, its huge flaps and that specific landing gear, a different type of performance can be achieved. Using a low speed approach and contacting the ground with the tail wheel first (if needed), spectacular and ultra short stopping distances are achievable. The braking action will be amplified by the main landing gear damping system which, dissipating the energy due to the high vertical deceleration, will subtract longitudinal kinematic energy to the airplane and reduce to a minimum, the necessary landing distance. With just a relatively small head wind it will be possible to have almost virtually vertical landings, which make the airplane even safer in its natural habitat. The new slats installed on the Shock Cub will make spin, in practice, almost impossible, while making easier to control the stall.
It is not a secret that during a famous STOL competition in Alaska (in Valdez) in May 2019, one our customer’s Shock Cub has marked the shortest landing distance in his category.